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4 biggest changes since Saints last saw Eagles

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles not that long ago — just 56 days separate their Week 11 meeting from the upcoming divisional round playoff game –— but both teams are in vastly different spaces.

Saints fan Lucie Bennett with her grandmother Jackie Bennett during the NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles not that long ago — just 56 days separate their Week 11 meeting from the upcoming divisional round playoff game –— but both teams are in vastly different spaces.

The Saints are settling back into their winning ways after a handful of dicey games, and trying to get healthy. The desperate Eagles have a ton of momentum behind them and are pushing hard to make this game more competitive than their last.

Here’s four reasons why each team will see something different from the last time they played each other.

1. The Eagles are the team on a winning streak.

When they last took the field, the Saints were sitting high and mighty with an 8-1 record while Philadelphia was treading water at 4-5. New Orleans had a hiccup with the Dallas Cowboys and were brushed aside by the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, in what functioned as a preseason game, with some sketchy moments in-between. Contrast that with the Eagles, who won five of their next six games (losing in overtime on the road with the Dallas Cowboys). The Eagles are a hot team right now, there’s no denying that, and they took down three teams who made the playoffs along the way: the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, and of course, the Chicago Bears.

2. The Saints offense is rejuvenated by Ted Ginn Jr.

The Saints have gotten their own reinforcement in the form of wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., whose presence opened up the passing offense in ways not seen all season. The Pittsburgh Steelers were taken aback by Ginn’s speed and savvy, fearing to play him too physically and allow the speedster to fly past their slower defensive backs. That turned into free releases and easy completions for Ginn all day long, while also creating opportunities to All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas. The Eagles know that their plan from the first game — gang up on Thomas with two or three players on each snap — didn’t work. They’ll have to try something different, but the re-emergence of Ginn just makes that task more difficult.

3. Darren Sproles is leading the charge.

The former Saints fan-favorite running back returns to New Orleans, but under less-than-friendly terms. Sproles has played more games for the Eagles (55) than the Saints (44), as strange as that may seem given the lasting impact he had on the offense. But now he’s back, healthy, and on some level has to be itching for vengeance against the team that once traded him away. Sproles led the Eagles in touches (15) in the wild-card round, and there’s a good chance they go back to him with neither Josh Adams nor Wendell Smallwood standing out lately. Saints 2018 draft pick and Louisiana Tech product Boston Scott is also with Philadelphia now, though he mainly contributes as a kick returner.

4. Nick Foles is starting at quarterback.

It’s tough to pin down why the Eagles play so differently with Foles under center in place of — who they hope can be the face of the franchise — Carson Wentz. Whether head coach Doug Pederson is more comfortable working with an experienced passer in Foles, or if the veteran is more willing to air it out downfield than the younger starter, the team responds to his gambling style of play. Foles has thrown much better than Wentz in 2018, and it’s unlikely the Saints defense repeats the three-interception total it bagged against Wentz in their last outing. But there’s no doubt that they’ll try.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Josh Adams (33) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (13) and tight end Dallas Goedert (88) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara scores on a touchdown reception in front of Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) pulls in a touchdown reception in front of Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. The Saints won 48-7. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Bill Feig, AP

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) walks off the field after turning the ball over on downs in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith pulls in a touchdown reception against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Bill Feig, AP

New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson tries to drag down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore pulls in an interception on a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (13) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) celebrates his interception in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert, AP

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is tackled on a carry in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert, AP

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is tackled on a carry in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert, AP

Philadelphia Eagles running back Josh Adams crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Butch Dill, AP

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) crosses the goal on a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Bill Feig, AP